KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The University of Missouri-Kansas City is suspending three athletic programs for eight months due to financial hardships from COVID-19, the school announced Thursday.
UMKC said the golf, cross country and track-and-field programs will be suspended started Nov. 1, resulting in layoffs and furloughs.
Student-athletes in the programs will be able to keep their scholarships, UMKC said, and will have the option to transfer to another school if they want.
UMKC said universities across the country and their athletic programs “are facing significant losses of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on sports competition.”
At UMKC specifically, revenue loss from ticket sales, concessions and other sources has had “significant” impact.
University officials said the suspension of these programs will allow the athletic department to reduce its operating costs.
"This is an unprecedented season in college athletics. Our commitment to comprehensive excellence has been tested in regards to our strategic priorities and goals for 2020-2021," UMKC Director of Athletics Dr. Brandon Martin said in a news release. "While we regret having to take this short-term step, we are confident that the upward momentum we have established for Kansas City Athletics will continue."
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